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Hands on the lower abdomen for menstrual cramps care at PULSE TCM

Insights · Women's Health

TCM perspective to menstrual cramps

Cramps that drag through the period are a pattern, not only a monthly inconvenience. TCM reads deficiency versus excess so care can match the type, including when to skip ginger and heat pads.

Read the types Book Appointment

By PULSE Clinical Content

Clinically reviewed Dr Sim Beng Joo TCMPB T1303003A

In brief

Cramps just before or during the flow often sit in the Chong and Ren channels (冲任二脉), where Qi and Blood shift sharply each cycle. Dull ache late in the period often reads deficiency (不荣则痛). Sharp or distending pain early in the flow often reads excess blockage (不通则痛). Monthly cramps without another disease differ from pain tied to endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic infection. Herbs, acupuncture, and moxibustion match the type. Warming drinks and heat pads are not for Heat-Dampness. Plans often run 3 to 6 cycles.

01 · Chong and Ren

An insight into menstrual cramps

冲任二脉 · 痛经

Low-belly cramps often show when Qi and Blood shift sharply in the Chong and Ren channels (冲任二脉). Dull ache late in the period reads deficiency (不荣则痛). Sharp or distending pain early in the flow reads excess blockage (不通则痛).

Monthly cramps without another disease are the common pattern. Pain tied to endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic infection is usually more severe. The pattern was first recorded in the General Treatise on the Cause and Symptoms of Diseases (诸病源候论) in 610 CE.

02 · Singapore

Why period pain stacks up here

Iced drinks · AC · desk hours

A hot climate still feeds internal cold and stagnation. Everyday habits often sit underneath an Excess picture, or empty the Spleen until a Deficiency cramp shows late in the flow.

  • Iced drinks: bubble tea, cold desserts, and raw salads in the week before the period.
  • Air-conditioning: long cold rooms with the waist or feet uncovered.
  • Desk hours: little movement so Qi and Blood slow in the pelvis.
  • Stress and late nights: overthinking taxes the Spleen; frustration sticks Liver Qi.
Iced drinks on an office desk linked with period pain patterns in Singapore

03 · Types

Deficiency versus excess

Physicians weigh when the pain sits in the cycle, how the flow looks, and whether warmth eases or aggravates it. Mixed pictures are common. Pulse and tongue decide.

TCM types of period pain
Type Typical signs When and care
Deficiency (虚)Pain from malnourishment (不荣则痛).
  • Dull, persistent ache that eases on pressing
  • Reduced watery flow, light pink or red
  • Tiredness and dizziness during or after menses
  • Lower-back ache, tinnitus, palpitations
Qi-Blood stasis (气滞血瘀)Pain from blockage (不通则痛).
  • Distended, gripping, or sharp pain, worse on pressing
  • Dark purplish flow, reduced volume, clots
  • Breast tenderness and bloating in the lower abdomen and chest sides
Cold-Blood stasis (寒凝血瘀)Cold contracts and stagnates.
  • Pain with a cold sensation in the low belly
  • Distended, gripping, or sharp pain, worse on pressing
  • Dark purplish flow with clots
  • Fear of cold and cold limbs
Heat-Dampness (湿热)Burning Excess picture. Do not warm this type.
  • Chronic low-abdomen pain, worse during menses, with burning
  • Longer period, purplish-red sticky flow, heavier volume, clots
  • Slightly higher body temperature and amber urine
  • Yellow, sticky, foul-smelling discharge on non-period days

Deficiency (虚)

精血 · 脾主运化

This cramp usually sits during or near the end of the period, when Chong, Ren, ovaries, and uterus are undernourished.

Hectic days leave little rest. Overthinking consumes energy and stresses the Spleen. In TCM the Spleen governs digestion, the source of Qi and Blood (脾主运化，为气血生化之源). When essence and Blood (精血) run low, the period itself can empty the channels further.

Make the red date longan tea

04 · Excess (实)

When blockage causes the pain

Excess cramps sit when Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, Cold, or Heat-Dampness obstruct Chong, Ren, ovaries, and uterus. Lifestyle often feeds that picture: stress, little movement, cold food and drinks, long hours in cold rooms, smoking, or alcohol. The saying is “whenever there is blockage, there will be pain” (不通则痛). Pain often starts just before the period or in the early flow.

Qi stagnation and Blood stasis

气滞血瘀

Qi sticks under stress and desk hours, so Blood does not move freely. Distending or sharp pain is worse on pressing; breast tenderness and chest-side bloating are a common tell.

Make the motherwort rose buds tea

Cold and Blood stasis

寒凝血瘀

The same stasis signs sit with a cold sensation. Iced drinks and long hours in air-conditioning contract vessels, so Qi and Blood slow and the low belly feels chilly.

Warming skip

Heat pads and ginger teas may fit this picture. They are not for Heat-Dampness.

Make the cinnamon ginger tea

Heat-Dampness

湿热

Heat-Dampness is still an Excess picture, with burning pain and a stickier, heavier flow. Skip heat pads, ginger tea, and strong warming self-care.

Do not warm this type

Heat pads, ginger tea, and strong SP6 warming habits can aggravate Heat-Dampness.

05 · Clinic care

Treatments for menstrual cramps

Monthly cramps without another disease, and pain tied to endometriosis or fibroids, are both treated from how the pain feels and which type is named. Plans commonly include herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion.

When to see a gynaecologist

Endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids involve abnormal tissue growth and often worsen over time. They need Western assessment and regular check-ups alongside TCM. If pain has been increasing across several cycles and over-the-counter painkillers barely help, seek gynaecology advice promptly.

Chinese herbal medicine

Assorted Chinese herbal medicines prepared for prescription at PULSE TCM

Pattern formula

Custom prescriptions nourish deficiency, move stasis, warm Cold, or clear Heat-Dampness after pulse and tongue.

Chinese herbal medicine

Acupuncture

Fine acupuncture needle at a point on the hand

Qi and Blood

Needling is used to move Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Sessions during the period can sit alongside a plan in the weeks before the cycle.

Acupuncture at PULSE

Moxibustion

Moxibustion treatment at a PULSE TCM clinic

Mugwort warmth

Heat from mugwort warms Cold-type stagnation so vessels can open and Blood can move.

Moxibustion at PULSE

06 · Cycle care

Menstrual care tips

After blood loss the body is more open to external factors. Irregular Qi and Blood, stacked with mood swings, can leave immunity thinner.

1. Hygiene

The genital area is more prone to infection during the period. Prefer a short shower or a clean wipe. Skip long baths, swimming, and sex for those days.

2. Rest the load

Overtiredness weakens the Kidneys, Qi, and Blood. Ease off hard training and long strenuous days during the flow.

3. Stay covered in the cold

Cold and Cold-Dampness can lead to Qi stagnation and Blood stasis. Cover the waist and feet in air-conditioning. Skip rain-soaked clothes and washing the legs in cold water.

4. Lighter, warmer meals

An imbalanced diet tends to generate Heat-Dampness or Cold. Ease off iced drinks, raw food, alcohol, and very spicy or fried meals. A lighter, warm plate sits better.

5. Give conflict a rest

Mood swings can stall Qi and Blood. Where you can, step back from avoidable conflict and keep the week as even as it allows.

6. Heat pads and iced drinks

From about one week before the period, skip iced drinks. A heat pad on the lower abdomen can ease Cold-type pain. Heat pads, ginger tea, and strong warming self-press are not for Heat-Dampness.

07 · Food therapy and points

What may help, matched to the type

Food therapy supports the pattern. Gently massage SP6 or SP8 at home alongside prescribed care.

Dried red dates and longans for tea at PULSE TCM

Deficiency · 虚

Red date longan tea

Red dates and longan are a classic brew for Blood and Qi when flow is pale, thin, and energy runs low after the period.

Make the red date longan tea
Dried motherwort and rose buds for tea at PULSE TCM

Qi stagnation · 气滞

Motherwort rose buds tea

Motherwort and rose buds are traditionally used when stress-linked tension sits with distending cramps and breast tenderness.

If there's any chance of pregnancy, don't use this.

Make the motherwort rose buds tea
Ginger, red dates, cinnamon, and brown sugar for tea at PULSE TCM

Cold and Blood stasis · 寒凝血瘀

Cinnamon ginger tea

Ginger with cinnamon and red dates is a short warming brew from about one week before and during the period when the low belly runs cold.

Skip if a physician has named Heat-Dampness, or if you run heaty with a sore throat, strong thirst, or facial flushing.

Make the cinnamon ginger tea
Illustration locating San Yin Jiao SP6 on the inner leg

Acupressure · 三阴交

San Yin Jiao (SP6)

On the inner lower leg, about four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone. Gently massage in a circular motion for about five minutes, twice a day.

Skip strong SP6 pressure in pregnancy. Not a fit for Heat-Dampness warming habits.

Press San Yin Jiao (SP6)
Four-finger measure from SP9 down the inner shin to Di Ji SP8 beside the medial tibia

Acupressure · 地机

Di Ji (SP8)

On the inner lower leg, four finger-widths below Yin Ling Quan (SP9) beside the shinbone. Press to a dull soreness, then circle for about five minutes when period cramps build.

Ask a physician before new point habits in pregnancy. Seek urgent help for sudden severe pelvic pain or very heavy bleeding.

Press Di Ji (SP8)

When to book for period pain

If cramps keep returning, clots are heavy, or over-the-counter painkillers barely help, a physician can name the type and decide whether herbs, acupuncture, or moxibustion belong in your plan. Bring how the pain sits in the cycle and any gynaecology notes.

Book Appointment Women's Health programme
Dr Sim Beng Joo

Clinically reviewed

Reviewed by Sim Beng Joo

Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician · TCMPB T1303003A

MOH-licensed TCM physician and biomedical scientist, with clinical work in digestion, pain, sleep or fatigue, and women's health patterns including cycle comfort.

View full profile

Educational information based on clinical experience and TCM principles. Not a substitute for personalised consultation, gynaecology, or urgent attention. Speak with your physician before starting herbs, strong heat, ginger teas, or new self-care in pregnancy or with heavy bleeding. Seek urgent care for severe pain, fainting, or bleeding that soaks through protection hour after hour.

FAQs

Menstrual cramp questions

Common questions before you change food, use a heat pad, or book a first visit.

How long does it take for TCM to cure menstrual cramps?

Because TCM treats the pattern underneath dysmenorrhea rather than only masking pain, consistency matters. Many people notice less period pain and fewer clots within 3 to 6 menstrual cycles of regular herbs and acupuncture. Timelines vary with constitution and whether the picture is Deficiency or Excess.

Is it safe to do acupuncture during my period?

Yes. Acupuncture during the period is commonly used. When cramps are acute, needling can help move Blood and Qi in the lower abdomen. For longer-term prevention, physicians often schedule sessions in the weeks leading up to the cycle.

Why do I have large blood clots during menstruation according to TCM?

Dark, heavy clots are a classic sign of Blood stasis and Cold accumulation in the uterus (an Excess picture). Qi and Blood are not circulating smoothly, so blood pools and clots. Common triggers include cold foods, high stress, and long hours in cold rooms.

Can TCM treat secondary dysmenorrhea like endometriosis or fibroids?

TCM is used as complementary care for secondary dysmenorrhea. It does not make fibroids or endometrial tissue disappear. Acupuncture and custom herbal blends are used to ease pelvic inflammation, manage pain, and support daily comfort. These conditions still need Western monitoring alongside TCM.

Can drinking ginger tea make my menstrual cramps worse?

Ginger tea warms the body and helps move Blood, but it is not for every pattern. If a physician has named Heat-Dampness (heavy sweating, irritability, yellowish urine, or a thick tongue coating), warming foods such as ginger can aggravate internal heat and worsen cramps.

What foods should I avoid to prevent period pain?

To reduce Qi stagnation and Blood stasis, TCM advises avoiding cold, raw, and icy foods (sashimi, ice cream, iced drinks) from about one week before the period. Limit heaty, inflammatory foods such as deep-fried meals, very spicy dishes, and heavy alcohol.

References

Selected sources

  1. Witt, C. M., Reinhold, T., Brinkhaus, B., Roll, S., Jena, S., & Willich, S. N. (2008). Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 198(2), 166.e1–166.e8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18226614/
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese medicine: What you need to know. 2019. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know/
  3. World Health Organization. Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. https://www.who.int/health-topics/traditional-complementary-and-integrative-medicine
  4. Liu, J., Liu, J., Wang, X. S., Li, X. X., Lin, M., Liu, J. Y., Zhang, X. F., Gao, Y. B., Lu, G. T., & She, Y. F. (2024). Comparative study of different dosages of grain-sized moxibustion on uterine artery blood flow in patients with cold and dampness primary dysmenorrhea. Acupuncture Research, 49(7), 760–766. https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230026
  5. Ministry of Health Singapore. TCM practitioners (Healthcare Professional Portal). https://hpp.moh.gov.sg/tcm-practitioners/
  6. Original article author: Physician Hao Li.

Next step

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